Valve seat assemblies
Valve seat assemblies are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a valve seat assembly including a cage and a valve seat coupled to the cage. The valve seat assembly is to be disposed in a valve body. The example apparatus also includes a seal having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The first side, the second side and the third side are to be in contact with the valve seat assembly, and the fourth side is to be in contact with the valve body.
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This patent arises from a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/828,539, which was filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThis disclosure relates generally to valves and, more particularly, to valve seat assemblies.
BACKGROUNDControl valves are often used in industrial processes such as, for example, oil and gas pipeline distribution systems and chemical processing plants to control flow of process fluids. For example, a sliding stem valve generally includes a flow control member (e.g., a plug) coupled to a stem. An actuator may drive the stem to move the flow control member between an open position and a closed position to allow or restrict fluid flow between an inlet and an outlet of the valve. Typically, the flow control member forms a fluid seal against a valve seat when the flow control member is in the closed position to prevent fluid flow through the valve.
SUMMARYValve seat assemblies are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a valve seat assembly including a cage and a valve seat coupled to the cage. The valve seat assembly is to be disposed in a valve body. The example apparatus also includes a seal having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The first side, the second side and the third side are to be in contact with the valve seat assembly, and the fourth side is to be in contact with the valve body.
Another example apparatus disclosed herein includes a valve seat assembly including a first portion movable relative to a second portion. A seal is to be compressed between the first portion and the second portion, and a valve body is to receive the valve seat assembly. The seal is to be compressed between the valve seat assembly and the valve body to form a fluid seal.
An example method disclosed herein includes compressing a seal between a first surface and a second surface of the valve seat assembly. The valve seat assembly includes a valve seat and a cage. The example method further includes compressing the seal between a third surface of a valve body and a fourth surface of the valve seat assembly.
Another example apparatus disclosed herein includes a bracket to engage a portion of a valve seat suspended in a valve body via a cage. The example apparatus also includes a hanger rotatably coupled to the bracket. The hanger is to suspend the bracket in the valve body. The bracket is to be rotated to move at least the portion of the valve seat relative to the cage to compress a seal.
Yet another example apparatus disclosed herein includes means for engaging a valve seat coupled to a cage disposed in a valve body. The example apparatus also includes means for suspending the means for engaging in the valve body and means for rotatably coupling the means for suspending to the means for engaging. The means for engaging is to enable rotation of the valve seat relative to the cage to compress a seal.
The features, functions and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yet other examples further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.
The figures are not to scale. Instead, to clarify multiple layers and regions, the thickness of the layers may be enlarged in the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. As used in this patent, stating that any part (e.g., a layer, film, area, or plate) is in any way positioned on (e.g., positioned on, located on, disposed on, or formed on, etc.) another part, means that the referenced part is either in contact with the other part, or that the referenced part is above the other part with one or more intermediate part(s) located therebetween. Stating that any part is in contact with another part means that there is no intermediate part between the two parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONValve seat assemblies are disclosed herein. An example valve seat assembly may include a valve seat suspended in a valve body via a cage. In some examples, the valve seat assembly includes a seal to provide a fluid seal between the valve seat assembly and the valve body. Three sides of the seal may be in contact with the valve seat assembly, and one side of the seal may be in contact with the valve body. In some examples, the valve body includes a tapered portion to gradually compress the seal between the valve seat assembly and the valve body. In other examples, a first portion of the valve seat assembly is movable relative to a second portion of the valve seat assembly, and the seal is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. In some examples, when the valve seat assembly is disposed in the valve body, the first portion may be moved relative to the second portion to compress the seal along two, substantially perpendicular axes to enable the seal to provide a fluid seal against the valve body.
In the illustrated example, the cage 114 defines a bore 128 to receive fluid from the inlet 106 and guide movement of the plug 125. The plug 125 may move between a closed position in which the plug 125 sealingly engages the valve seat 112 and an open position in which the plug 125 is sealingly disengaged from the valve seat 112 (e.g., spaced apart from the valve seat 112). The example cage 114 provides lateral stability, balance and alignment as the plug 125 moves between the open position and the closed position, thereby reducing vibrations and/or other mechanical stress.
The example cage 114 defines at least one opening 130 in fluid communication with the bore 128. When the plug 125 is in the open position, fluid may flow from the inlet 106 into the bore 128 and through at least a portion of the opening 130 of the cage 114 to the outlet 108. When the plug 125 is in the closed position, the plug 125 sealingly engages the valve seat 112 and obstructs the opening 130 to prevent fluid flow through the valve 100. Although the example valve 100 employs a plug 125, other examples may employ other closure or flow control members such as, for example, a piston.
The cage 114 facilitates and/or provides certain fluid flow characteristics through the valve body 102 (e.g., reducing noise and/or cavitation generated by the flow of fluid through the valve 100). In other examples, the cage 114 may be other sizes and/or shapes, define different number(s) and/or types of opening(s), etc. to provide particular, desired fluid flow characteristics such as, for example, to control fluid flow, reduce noise and/or cavitations, enhance pressure reductions of the fluid, etc. An actuator (not shown) is coupled to the plug 125 via the stem 126. The actuator moves the plug 125 between the open position and the closed position to control fluid flow through the fluid flow passageway 104.
In the illustrated example, the seal 116 prevents fluid flow (e.g., leakage) between the valve body 102 and the valve seat assembly 110. The example seal 116 is disposed in a space 204 (e.g., a groove, a recess, etc.) defined by the valve seat assembly 110. More specifically, the space 204 is defined by an end 206 of the cage 114, a first portion 208 of the valve seat 112, and a flange 210 of the valve seat 112. In some examples, the flange 210 is coupled to the valve seat 112. In other examples, the valve seat 112 and the flange 210 are integral. In the illustrated example, the first portion 208 of the valve seat 112 has a first outer diameter less than a second outer diameter of the flange 210. The outer diameter of the flange 210 is approximately equal to an outer diameter of the example cage 114.
A first surface 212 (e.g., a surface defining an inner diameter) of the example seal 116 contacts the first portion 208 of the valve seat 112. A second surface 214 (e.g., a surface defining outer diameter) of the seal 116 may extend out of the space 204 (e.g., radially beyond the outer diameter of the cage 114 and/or the flange 210) to enable the seal 116 to form a fluid seal against the valve body 102. The example valve seat 112 includes a shoulder 216 (e.g., a tapered portion, a rounded edge, etc.) to facilitate assembly of the seal 116 and the valve seat 112. For example, the shoulder 216 may provide a clearance to enable the seal 116 to be placed or rest on a ledge 218 of the flange 210 via the shoulder 216. The valve seat 112 may then be threaded into the cage 114 to form (e.g., assemble) the valve seat assembly 110.
In the illustrated example, the seal 116 is in contact with the end 206 of the cage 114 and the flange 210. In some examples, the seal 116 is clamped (e.g., held and/or compressed) between the end 206 of the cage 114 and the flange 210 prior to the valve seat assembly 110 being coupled to the valve body 102. For example, the seal 116 may be clamped between the end 206 of the cage 114 and the flange 210 by disposing the seal 116 on the end 206 of the cage 114 or on the ledge 218 of the flange 210 and threading the second threads 202 of valve seat 112 onto the first threads 200 of the cage 114. As the valve seat 112 is threaded into the cage 114, the flange 210 moves toward the cage 114, and the flange 210 clamps (e.g., holds and/or compresses) the seal 116 against the end 206 of the cage 114. As described in greater detail below, when the example valve seat assembly 110 is coupled to the example valve body 102, the seal 116 is substantially held in place and/or compressed via four sides of the seal 116, and the seal 116 does not float in the space 204 (e.g., the seal 116 substantially does not move in the space 204 relative to the valve seat assembly 110 and/or the valve body 102).
In the illustrated example, the cage 114 defines a first step 220 between the first threads 200 and the end 206. The example valve seat 112 defines a second step 222 between the second threads 202 and first portion 208 of the valve seat 112. In some examples, the first step 220 and the second step 222 function as a stop. For example, as the valve seat 112 is threaded into the cage 114, the first step 220 may contact the second step 222 to substantially limit further threading and, thus, movement of the valve seat 112. As a result, the first step 220 and second step 222 prevent compression of the seal 116 between the end 206 of the cage 114 and the flange 210 beyond a threshold amount of compression.
In the illustrated example, a wall 224 of the example valve body 102 of
As the valve seat assembly 110 is lowered in the valve body 102, the seal 116 contacts (e.g., slides along and/or against) the tapered portion 228 of the wall 224, and the seal 116 compresses or compacts between the tapered portion 228 of the wall 224 and the first portion 208 of the valve seat 112. As a result, the seal 116 is urged to expand toward the end 206 of the cage 114 and the ledge 218 of the valve seat 112. Because the seal 116 is in contact with the end 206 of the cage 114 and the ledge 218, the seal 116 compresses between the end 206 of the cage 114 and the ledge 218. Thus, the example seal 116 is compressed between four surfaces (e.g., the end 206 of the cage 114, the ledge 218, the valve body 102 and the first portion 208 of the valve seat 112). As the valve seat assembly 110 is further lowered into the valve body 102, the seal 116 is further compressed or compacted along the tapered portion 228 of the wall 224. When the valve seat assembly 110 is fully lowered into the valve body 102 (e.g., when the flange 118 of the cage 114 rests on the lip 120 of the valve body 102), the seal 116 is compressed or compacted between the second bore 230 of the wall 224 and the valve seat 112. In this manner, the example seal 116 loads and forms a fluid seal between the valve seat assembly 110 and the valve body 102.
In the illustrated example, the seal 116 includes a first side 232, a second side 234, a third side 236 and a fourth side 238. When the valve seat assembly 110 is coupled to the valve body 102, the first side 232 and the second side 234 of the example seal 116 contact the end 206 of the cage 114 and the flange 210 of the valve seat 112, respectively. The third side 236 (e.g., defined by the first surface 212) and the fourth side 238 (e.g., defined by the second surface 214) contact the valve seat 112 and the wall 224 of the valve body 102, respectively. Thus, three sides of the seal 116 are in contact with the valve seat assembly 110 and one side of the seal 116 is in contact with the valve body 102.
During operation of the example valve 100, the valve 100 may be subjected to a variety of process temperatures. As a result, components of the valve 100 (e.g., the valve seat 112, the cage 114, the valve body 102, etc.) may contract or expand due to thermal distortion. The example seal 116 of
The example seal 116 of
The example valve seat 404 is suspended in the valve body 408 via the cage 402 to be adjacent a wall 412 of the valve body 408. In the illustrated example, the cage 402 includes first threads 414 and the valve seat 404 includes second threads 416 to engage the first threads 414. The valve seat 404 is movably coupled to the cage 402 via the first and second threads 414 and 416. The example seal 406 is disposed between a flange 418 of the valve seat 404 and an end 419 of the cage 402. Thus, the seal 406 may be compressed by the flange 418 and the end 419 of the cage 402 along a first axis 420 (e.g., an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cage 402) by moving the valve seat 404 relative the cage 402 via the threads 414, 416. The example seal 406 is also compressed or compacted by the valve seat 404 and the wall 412 of the valve body 408 along a second axis 422 (e.g., an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cage 402) to load the seal 406.
In the illustrated example, the valve seat 404 includes female connectors 424 and 426 (e.g., recesses, cavities, etc.) to enable a valve seat adjustment apparatus 500 (
In the illustrated example, the cage 402 includes a first step 430 between the first threads 414 and the end 419. The example valve seat 404 includes a second step 432 between the second threads 416 and the flange 418. In the illustrated example, the first step 430 and the second step 432 function as a stop. For example, as the valve seat 404 is threaded into the cage 402, the second step 432 may contact the first step 430 to substantially prevent further threading of the valve seat 404 and the cage 402. In some examples, the first step 430 contacts the second step 432 when the flange 418 is a predetermined distance from the end 419 of the cage 402 to prevent compression of the seal 406 beyond a threshold amount of compression.
The example hanger 504 suspends or hangs the valve seat adjustment apparatus 500 from the valve body 408, the cage 402, and/or any other suitable portion of a valve component(s) and holds the first bracket 502 in engagement with the valve seat 404. In the illustrated example, the hanger 504 includes a first cable 514 and a second cable 516. The first cable 514 is coupled to a second beam or bar 518 adjacent a first end 520 of the second bar 518. The second cable 516 is coupled to the second bar 518 adjacent a second end 522 of the second bar 518. Other examples may include other numbers of cables (e.g., 1, 3, 4, 5, etc.). In the illustrated example, a length of the second bar 518 is less than an inner diameter of the valve seat 404 and/or the cage 402 to enable the second bar 518 to be disposed within a space defined by the inner diameter of the valve seat 404 and/or the cage 402 while the first bracket 502 engages the valve seat 404.
The example hanger 504 of
Lengths of the example first cable 514 and the example second cable 516 are adjustable. In the illustrated example, the first cable 514 is operatively coupled to a first buckle 528. The example second cable 516 is operatively coupled to a second buckle 530. The first buckle 528 and the second buckle 530 may be used to adjust a length of the first cable 514 and the second cable 516, respectively, to lower the first bracket 502 or raise the first bracket 502 relative to the valve seat 404. The first and second buckles 528 and 530 may employ clasps, clamps, apertures through which the cables 514 and 516 are looped, pulleys, and/or any other suitable device and/or technique to enable the lengths of the cables 514 and 516 to be adjusted.
The example valve seat adjustment apparatus 500 of
In the illustrated example, the first coupling 532 is accessible via the bore 602 of the cage 402. Thus, the first bracket 502 may be rotated by lowering a second tool 700 into the valve body 408 via the bore 602 of the cage 402, engaging the first coupling 532 with the second tool 700, and applying a sufficient amount of torque to the first coupling 532 via the second tool 700. The second coupling 534 is accessible via the inlet 604 of the example valve body 408. Thus, in the illustrated example, the first bracket 502 may be rotated by inserting the first tool 536 into the valve body 408 via the inlet 604, engaging the second coupling 534 with the first tool 536, and applying a sufficient amount of torque to the second coupling 534 via the first tool 536.
In the illustrated example, the first bracket 502 is rotatably coupled to the second bar 518 to enable the second bar 518 to remain substantially stationary relative to the cage 402 to prevent the cables 514 and 516 from entangling while the first bracket 502 is rotated via the first tool 536. In the illustrated example, the first coupling 532 includes a neck 702, and the example second bar 518 is rotatably coupled to the first bracket 502 via the neck 702. For example, the second bar 518 may define an aperture through which the neck 702 extends, and the neck 702 provides an axis of rotation about which the first bracket 502 rotates relative to the second bar 518.
As the first bracket 502 is rotated, the valve seat 404 moves relative to the cage 402 to compress or decompress the seal 406. Thus, a position of the valve seat 404 is adjustable relative to a position of the cage 402, and a torque applied to the first bracket 502 may be controlled to control an amount of rotation of the valve seat 404 and, thus, compression of the seal 406. Therefore, the example valve seat adjustment apparatus 500 may be used to load the seal 406 to enable the seal 406 to provide a fluid seal against the valve body 408.
In the illustrated example, the retainer 814 is movably coupled to the valve seat 804 via second threads 816 to enable the retainer 814 to load the seal 806. The example retainer 814 also enables the seal 806 to be clamped between the retainer 814 and the flange 812 prior to the example valve seat assembly 800 being disposed in the valve body 818 to facilitate assembly of the valve seat assembly 800 outside of a valve body 818. In the illustrated example, the retainer 814 includes female connections 820 and 822 (e.g., recesses, cavities, etc.) to enable the example valve seat adjustment apparatus 500 of
In the illustrated example, the valve seat 804 functions as a stop (e.g., provides a motion limit) to the retainer 814. For example, as the retainer 814 threads into the valve seat 804, an end 832 of the retainer 814 initially contacts the seal 806. If the retainer 814 is further threaded into the valve seat 804, the end 832 of the retainer 814 may contact the valve seat 804, thereby substantially preventing further threading of the retainer 814 and, thus further compression of the seal 806.
A flowchart representative of an example method 900 for assembling a valve is shown in
The method 900 of
In some examples, the seal 406 is disposed around the valve seat 404, and the valve seat 404 is threaded into the cage 402 to dispose the seal 406 between the flange 418 and the end 419 of the cage 402. In other examples, the seal 806 is disposed in the recess 810 of the valve seat 804, and the retainer 814 is threaded into the valve seat 804 to dispose the seal 806 between the retainer 814 and the flange 812. The example valve seat 804 of
At block 904, the seal is compressed between the first surface and the second surface of the valve seat assembly. In some examples, once the seal 116 of
In some examples, the valve seat adjustment apparatus 500 is suspended in the valve body 408 to engage the valve seat 404 when the valve seat assembly 400 is disposed inside the valve body 408. Torque may be applied to the valve seat adjustment apparatus 500 via the first tool 536 and/or the second tool 700 to move the flange 418 of the valve seat 404 toward the end 419 of the cage 402 via the threads 414 to compress the seal 406 between the flange 418 and the end 419 of the cage along the first axis 420. In other examples, the retainer 814 is threaded into the valve seat 804 via valve seat adjustment apparatus 500 to compress the seal 806 between the retainer 814 and the flange 812.
At block 906, the seal is compressed between a third surface of the valve body and a fourth surface of the valve seat assembly to load the seal. For example, as the example valve seat assembly 110 of
In some examples, the example seal 406 of
In some examples, the retainer 814 is employed to enable the seal 806 to be compressed between the example valve seat 804 and the example valve body 818. For example, when the valve seat assembly 800 is disposed in the valve body 818, the retainer 814 moves toward the flange 812 to compress the seal 806. As the example seal 806 is compressed between the retainer 814 and the flange 812, the seal 806 is urged to expand toward the valve body 818 and the valve seat 804. As a result, the valve seat valve seat 804 and the valve body 818 contact the third side 828 and the fourth side 830 of the seal 806, respectively, and compress the seal 806 between the valve seat 804 and the valve body 818.
Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims of this patent.
The Abstract at the end of this disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a valve seat assembly including a cage and a valve seat coupled to the cage, the valve seat assembly to be disposed in a valve body, the valve seat assembly having a first portion removably coupled to a second portion; and
- a seal having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side, the second side and the third side to contact with the valve seat assembly, and the fourth side to contact the valve body, at least a portion of the valve seat being movable relative to the cage to compress the seal, the seal being compressed between the first portion and the second portion.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a first portion composed of graphite.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal includes a guard.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal is disposed on an end of the cage.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal is disposed in a recess defined by the valve seat.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal is to be used with a process fluid having a temperature between about −350 degrees Fahrenheit and about 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion is the valve seat and the second portion comprises a flange movably coupled to the valve seat.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve seat includes first threads and the cage includes second threads to mate with the first threads.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the valve body to receive the valve seat and the cage.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the valve seat is suspended in the valve body via the cage.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the valve body defines a tapered surface, the seal to be compressed between the tapered surface and the valve seat assembly.
12. An apparatus, comprising:
- a valve seat assembly including a cage and a valve seat coupled to the cage, the valve seat assembly to be disposed in a valve body, the valve seat including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an outer diameter that is less than a second outer diameter of the second portion to define a tapered surface between the first portion of the valve seat and the second portion of the valve seat; and
- a seal having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side, the second side and the third side to contact with the valve seat assembly, and the fourth side to contact the valve body, the tapered surface of the valve seat to facilitate assembly of the seal with the valve seat.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a valve body, the valve body defining a tapered surface to contact the fourth side to compress the seal.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the valve seat defines a flange to receive one of the first side, the second side or the third side of the seal.
15. A method, comprising:
- compressing a seal between a first surface and a second surface of a valve seat assembly, the valve seat assembly including a valve seat and a cage;
- lowering the valve seat assembly into a valve body and contacting the seal along a tapered portion of a third surface of the valve body; and
- compressing the seal between the tapered portion of the third surface of the valve body and a fourth surface of the valve seat assembly.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising
- moving at least a portion of the valve seat relative to the cage to compress the seal between the first surface and the second surface of the valve seat assembly.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein moving at least the portion of the valve seat comprises disposing a tool in the valve body and operatively coupling the tool to the valve seat.
18. An apparatus, comprising:
- a valve seat assembly including a cage and a valve seat coupled to the cage, the valve seat assembly to be suspended in a valve body via the cage;
- a seal having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side, the second side and the third side to contact with the valve seat assembly, and the fourth side to contact the valve body;
- a bracket to engage a portion of the valve seat; and
- a hanger rotatably coupled to the bracket, the hanger to suspend the bracket in the valve body, wherein the bracket is to be rotated to move the valve seat relative to the cage to compress the seal.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a length of the hanger is adjustable.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a coupling disposed on the bracket, the coupling to be engaged by a tool to rotate the bracket.
21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the bracket comprises a male connector to engage the portion of the valve seat.
22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the hanger comprises a cable.
23. An apparatus, comprising:
- a valve seat assembly including a cage and a valve seat coupled to the cage, the valve seat assembly to be disposed in a valve body, the valve set to move relative to the cage to compress a seal between the valve seat and the cage, the valve seat including a connector to receive a valve seat adjustment tool used to move the valve seat relative to the cage.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the connector includes a plurality of connectors.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the connector includes a cavity formed on an underside of the valve seat.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 16, 2013
Date of Patent: Mar 29, 2016
Patent Publication Number: 20140264138
Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC (Marshalltown, IA)
Inventor: Brandon Wayne Bell (Marshalltown, IA)
Primary Examiner: Kevin Lee
Application Number: 13/895,973
International Classification: F16K 1/42 (20060101); F16K 25/00 (20060101); F16K 47/08 (20060101); B25B 13/50 (20060101); B25B 27/24 (20060101); F16K 3/24 (20060101); B25B 13/48 (20060101); F16J 15/12 (20060101);